Late Roman Highly Ornate Solid Gold Frame

Broadly spool-shaped with a squat body, cylindrical neck and flared rolled rim. 25.6 grams, 53 mm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

The goddess Tyche or Cybele with a facing female bust wearing a mural crown, braided hair cascading to the sides, high-relief lenticular eyes, and small slit mouth, two iron fixing rivets; the lower part with detailed necklace of pendants, catena decorative chain, lateral braids, ferrous fixture; old collector's label 'BR.APP.064' to verso; repaired and mounted on a custom-made display stand. 3.66 kg total, 20.5 cm including stand



Private collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent.

The crown that characterises the bronze applique (corona muralis = wall crown) was a military decoration using symbolism from the Hellenistic age. Often associated with Tyche (Fortuna), the crown was also an attribute of the goddess Cybele, particularly when made of wood. However, the presence of a necklace similar to a late Roman statuette of Tyche at the Metropolitan Museum of Art seems to point more to the first identification. This bronze applique was probably used as decoration for a chariot used in a procession for the goddess, or as a furniture decoration.

Group comprising: two bone astragali smoothed for use as gaming pieces; bronze model of the same. 80 grams total, 31-35 mm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.